Sasha from Avonbourne School took part in the AQA Unlocking Potential programme in the 2017/18 academic year. As part of the programme, she had to deliver a social action project that brings a benefit to her local community.
For her social action project, Sasha decided to set up a collection for local food banks in her school. Sasha knew from personal experience how important food banks are for people and with one in five households in the Bournemouth area living in poverty, she decided to help out. She arranged for a non-uniform day at the school and rather than asking for a monetary donation, she asked each student to bring a tin of food as she knew that not all families could afford to pay. As you can see in the film, the response was overwhelming and Sasha got a huge amount from taking part in the programme.
“ I’ve gained a lot of respect for myself (doing the programme) before I would just put myself down. I really hope it will have a big impact in the community, it makes me feel really proud that I did the AQA Unlocking Potential programme. ”
AQA Unlocking Potential is run by world class athletes who acts as a mentor to the young people throughout the programme. Chris Weale is a former professional footballer and he saw the change in Sasha throughout the programme.
“She will say that she’s shy but I don’t really believe that, because people put labels on people and sometimes those labels stick. It’s just about getting that belief you have inside of you already and I can see that in Sasha, she’s done that. She’s done something amazing. ”
AQA Unlocking Potential allowed Sasha to develop as a person under the guidance of Chris, her athlete mentor and by delivering her social action project, she had a huge impact on the wider community. So much food was brought in that Southbourne Food Bank had to share it around other local food banks, therefore impacting more people than Sasha and the school originally As part of the AQA Unlocking Potential programme, Sasha created awareness and arranged a collection for a food bank in her local area.
The Young Leaders Training and Ambassadors programme is being delivered by Dame Kelly Holmes Trust in partnership with PeacePlayers International NI on behalf of the Department of Communities in various locations in Northern Ireland.
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